You'd think 2010 must be National Steampunk year will all of the events listed below. There are a number of other events going on too ... but i think they are all vampire or "dark" events. Dash of salt here people as i'm going to find, post, and discuss things i like so there should be no surprises with the below all being Vampires and Steampunk themed (i'm saving the Gilbert & Sullivan event for the next post as it's in September though i can't wait for an opportunity to dress up as pirate Ruth or sunny summer day Mabel and sing about animals, minerals, and major generals).

*most* descriptions direct from their respective websites. Please leave comments for any events i may have missed coming up through June. I will *try* to do this quarterly and help would be greatly appreciated.

Wonderland: A Tim Burton Ball aka Abney Park ShowWhere: DNA Lounge SF, CAWhen: Friday February 5th @ 7:30pmWhat: Abney Park comes from an era that never was, but one that we wish had been. An era where airships waged war in the skies, and corsets and cummerbunds were proper adventuring attire. They've picked up their bad musical habits, scoundrelous musicians, and anachronistically hybridized instruments from dozens of locations and eras that they have visited in their travels and thrown them into one riotous dervish of a performance. Expect clockwork guitars, belly dancers, flintlock bassists, middleastern percussion, violent violin, and Tesla powered keyboards blazing in a post- apocalyptic, swashbuckling, Steampunk musical mayhem. Swing Goth is what happens when rock-a-billy meets goth, and is peppered with a little blues, waltzing and a healthy portion of dirty dancing... all to modern music.

le Mardi Gras des VampiresWhere: Masonic Lodge of San MateoWhen: Saturday, February 6th @ 8pm (dance lessons @ 7pm)Who: Hosted by PEERSWhat: New Orleans’ most amusing hosts, Lestat de Lioncourt and Louis de Pointe du Lac, and their ward, Mlle. Claudia, invite you to a joyous Mardi Gras Ball in true Nineteenth century ante-bellum New Orleans style. Suggested attire is period costume, fantasy Mardi Gras costume, or a fanciful version of period costume century costume is especially fashionable for Mardi Gras but any earlier historical period costume works well, too). Modern evening dress is perfectly acceptable, however, and there is no dress code for the ball. To protect your reputation, masks are strongly recommended.

SF in SF Steampunk Movie Night | Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog - AND - Perfect CreatureWhere: Emeryville, CAWhen: Wednesday March 10th @ 6pmWhat: Dr. Horrible...need i say more?Nova Albion Steampunk ExhibitionWhere: Emeryville, CAWhen: Friday March 12th, Saturday March 13th, Sunday March 14thWhat: The Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition Brings Alternate History Back to the Bay Area ... This event is being put on by what sounds like the same people as the Steampunk Halloween convention in 2008 in Sunnyvale. What i've pieced together from the events list there will be a Ball, standard "Programming" which i'm assuming is panels/workshops, vendors, and "games" which i'm guessing table top/card games (i was surprised at the LARP in Seattle and amn't sure if the trend will continue here)

The Legion Fantastique BallWhere: Masonic Lodge of San MateoWhen: Saturday, April 3 @ 8pm (dance lessons @ 7pm)Who: Hosted by PEERSWhat: Aeronauts, submariners, aetherial explorers, and gentlemen and lady adventurers of all type are invited to join the intrepid members of TheLegion Fantastique for a celebration in honour of the memory of their founder and inspiration, M. Jules Verne!

The Courts of Faerie Masquerade BallWhere: Masonic Lodge of San MateoWhen: Saturday, May 1st @ 8pm (dance lessons @ 7pm)Who: Hosted by PEERSWhat: Waltz the night away among the fairies, pixies, goblins, redcaps, wizards, sorceresses, enchanted princesses, charming princes, intelligent cats, and Fairy Tale characters of every other description at the most magical ball of the season – when the Unseelie King and Queen of the Fae honour May Day and resign their crowns for six months to the blessed Seelie King and Queen.

Maker FaireWhere: San Mateo County Faire GroundsWhen: Saturday May 22nd and Sunday May 23rdWho: Markers of all innovative thingsWhat: Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It's for creative, resourceful people of all ages and backgrounds who like to tinker and love to make thing

Sneak Peek of a summer event...

The Great Pan-Kinetic ExpositionWhere: Vallejo Water Front (Same as Pirate Faire)When: Saturday July 31st & Sunday August 1stWhat: The Great Pan-Kinetic Exposition is an event that brings to life the history, grandeur and fantasy of the turn of the 20th century. The fantasy of H.G.Wells, great personalities like Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, fabulous entertainments and one of a kind craftspeople embody the spirit of the event! Enticing aromas of American staples such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and apple pie will mix with soda fountains and popcorn stands. Contests for children and adults will share stages with magicians, Vaudeville acts, and electrical wonders.

About Me

I love music (mostly good things, but i have my lapses of pity ; ), movies, and books mostly sci fi and other fantasy style fiction. There is also some weird obsession lately with non-fiction about the 1800's through 1940's. Most of my time is spent between work and hangin out with friends. Other small bits of spare time include making things like period/fantasy costuming, spinning yarn, and drinkin tea (i love tea). I enjoy hiking and urban exploration, who doesn't love a good cemetery on a friday night ; )